USF System to Waive Out-of-state Fees for Students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Impacted by Recent Hurricanes

TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2017) – In response to Gov. Rick Scott’s call to assist those impacted by the recent devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean, the University of South Florida (USF) System announced today that all out-of-state fees will be waived for students enrolled for the fall 2017 or spring 2018 semester whose permanent residence is located in either Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. The decision will allow those students to pay the same amount of tuition and fees during the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters as Florida resident students in their respective programs of study.

“As always, our priority at the University of South Florida is positioning students for success. We support Governor Scott’s initiatives to reduce the financial burden placed on students affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair Brian Lamb. “The USF System will continue to assist our students as their families rebuild and recover.”

USF will identify all currently enrolled eligible students who have already paid the out-of-state fee for the fall semester and provide them with information on how to apply for the waiver. The action is being authorized by USF System President Judy Genshaft in order to allow current students whose families and permanent residencies may have been seriously affected by the recent hurricanes to assist them during this time of need.

“The recent hurricanes have created unprecedented challenges for some members of the USF community and their families. Our thoughts remain with our students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and it’s important for us to come together and do what we can to help those who have been impacted. I commend Governor Scott for putting this idea forward,” Genshaft said.

Current and prospective USF System students with questions about eligibility for this waiver can contact their financial aid office:

USF Tampa: (813) 974-4700

USF St. Petersburg: (727) 873-4128

USF Sarasota-Manatee (941) 359-4459

About the University of South Florida System

The University of South Florida System is a high-impact, global research system dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three institutions: USF Tampa; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. The institutions are separately accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. All institutions have distinct missions and their own detailed strategic plans. Serving over 50,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.